8/30/2013 |
Rest stop: Dempster returns with winExtra rest might have been just what the doctor ordered for Ryan Dempster, who allowed three runs over 6 1/3 innings to lead the Red Sox to a 4-3 victory over the White Sox on Friday night.

8/30/2013 |
A's overtake Rays for lead in Wild Card raceJed Lowrie extended his career-high hitting streak to 12 games with a go-ahead double in the eighth inning to give the Athletics a 4-3 series-opening win on Friday night over the Rays at O.co Coliseum.

8/30/2013 |
Petit, Zito swap rotation spotsThe Giants made a minor adjustment to the sequence of their starting rotation, announcing Friday that right-hander Yusmeiro Petit will pitch Sunday against Arizona, followed by left-hander Barry Zito on Monday at San Diego.

8/30/2013 |
Tigers still have Tribe's number, even without MiggyWith Friday's 7-2 Tigers win at Comerica Park -- called after an hour, nine-minute rain delay that ended play after seven innings -- Detroit now has a 7 1/2-game lead on Cleveland in the AL Central.

8/30/2013 |
Gee grounds Nationals in opener for 10th victoryBefore the Mets opened their series at Nationals Park on Friday, New York manager Terry Collins called starter Dillon Gee "a huge savior" for his steady performance in a rotation beset by injuries. Gee backed that statement up with 7 2/3 strong innings of two-run ball to record his 10th win in the Mets' 3-2 victory over the Nationals.

8/30/2013 |
Bloomquist knocks off rust immediatelyD-backs shortstop Willie Bloomquist did not show any rust from his two-month stint on the disabled list when he went 3-for-4 on Wednesday night.

8/30/2013 |
Cain plans to return next SaturdayGiants right-hander Matt Cain said Friday that he expects to pitch as soon as he's eligible for activation from the 15-day disabled list, which will be next Saturday, Sept. 7, at AT&T Park against Arizona.

8/30/2013 |
Improving Headley remains out with sore backThird baseman Chase Headley wasn't in the Padres' starting lineup on Friday, though the stiffness in his lower back felt much better than it did when he was removed from Tuesday's game.

8/30/2013 |
Saunders aims to prove himself against AstrosMariners left-hander Joe Saunders is ready to prove that he's a lot better than his recent results show. Saunders will face the Astros for the fourth time this season, and he'll square off against left-hander Dallas Keuchel on Saturday.

8/30/2013 |
Seeking a lefty for 'pen, Reds call up DukeThe Reds purchased the Triple-A contract of left-hander Zach Duke Friday to bolster the bullpen while sending right-handed rookie Nick Christiani back to Louisville. To make room on the 40-man roster for Duke, the Reds designated right-hander Justin Freeman for assignment.

8/30/2013 |
Expected callups include top prospect HamiltonThe Reds made a key move in advance of Saturday's Waiver Trade Deadline, and they are expected to call up another half-dozen players soon after rosters can expand Sunday, including top prospect Billy Hamilton.

8/30/2013 |
Ludwick back at cleanup spot for RedsRyan Ludwick returned to the cleanup slot in the Reds' lineup for Friday's series opener in Colorado. It was his first time batting fourth since Opening Day.

8/30/2013 |
Norris to test toe with Triple-A rehab stintDerek Norris, who is on the disabled list with a fractured toe, is slated to play three games with Triple-A Sacramento beginning Saturday, and if all goes well, he could rejoin the A's on Thursday.

8/30/2013 |
Melvin calls Suzuki's return 'pretty seamless'Kurt Suzuki was back in Oakland, where he spent his first six big league seasons before a trade last year, and manager Bob Melvin said it feels like the catcher never left.

8/30/2013 |
Dodgers turn page on Puig dramaDodgers manager Don Mattingly benched Yasiel Puig on Wednesday, but the rookie was back in the lineup on Friday and both Mattingly and general manager Ned Colletti seemed ready to move past the whole ordeal.

8/30/2013 |
A's, Rays clash again in push toward postseasonIn the American League playoff chase, the standings for both the division and Wild Card races are quite congested. On Saturday, the A's and rookie Sonny Gray will square off with Rays right-hander Alex Cobb, who is 2-0 with a 2.16 ERA in three starts since returning from the disabled list.

8/30/2013 |
Cardenas elected to Astros' Media Wall of HonorThe Astros announced on Friday that Rene Cardenas is the newest electee to the Media Wall of Honor, which annually honors a local figure for his or her significant and lasting contributions to the landscape of Houston baseball through work in journalism or broadcasting.

8/30/2013 |
Astros to wear NFL jerseys on themed road tripThemed road trips are becoming somewhat of a trend among Major League teams these days, and count the Astros as one club that has jumped onto that bandwagon. Bo Porter's squad will don NFL jerseys when they head out to Oakland on Sept. 4.

8/30/2013 |
Due to Minor League playoffs, Astros to limit callupsClubs will be cleared to expand their rosters on Sunday, but don't expect a huge wave of Minor Leaguers to join the Astros that early. Manager Bo Porter said they'll bring a small wave of players up on Sept. 1, and then have "a few more guys" join the club after the playoffs.

8/30/2013 |
With Axford gone, closer role is Henderson's to loseWith the deal that shipped former closer John Axford to the Cardinals on Friday, the Brewers sent a loud and clear message to current closer Jim Henderson: The ninth inning is yours if you want it.

8/30/2013 |
Gonzalez to begin rehab phase of returnAfter more than three weeks on the disabled list, Carlos Gonzalez said Friday he would make three rehab starts with Triple-A Colorado Springs beginning Saturday.